 Taina K. Evans works for Brooklyn Public Library as a Regional Director overseeing ten libraries. She has worked at BPL since 2007 and has demonstrated leadership on several BPL committees, including the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Council. Taina currently serves on the Reference and User Services Assn. (RUSA) Leadership Council as the Member at Large and active as the President of the New York Library Association New York Black Librarian Caucus. She serves on the advisory board for the Division of Library and Information Science Program at St. John’s University. As an adjunct professor, within the Division of Library and Information Science Program at St. John’s University, Mrs. Evans teaches a course in Collection Development & Management. She also teaches Library Research Methods at ASA College. Mrs. Evans has a B.A. in Government and Politics and Master’s Degree in Library Science from St. John’s University. | |
 Loida Garcia-Febo is a Puerto Rican American librarian and International Library Consultant with 24 years of experience as an expert in library services to diverse populations and human rights. President of the American Library Association 2018-2019. Garcia-Febo is worldwide known for her passion about diversity, communities, sustainability, innovation and digital transformation, library workers, library advocacy, wellness for library workers, and new librarians about which she has taught in 44 countries. In her job, she helps libraries, companies and organizations strategize programs, services and strategies in areas related to these topics and many others. Garcia-Febo has a Bachelors in Business Education, Masters in Library and Information Sciences, and is pursuing a PhD in Library and Information Sciences with a focus on library services to Spanish speaking library patrons in the USA. She has a long history of service at library associations. Highlights include- At IFLA: Governing Board 2013-2017, Co-Founder of IFLA New Professionals, two-term Member/Expert resource person of the Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression Committee of IFLA (FAIFE), two-term member of the Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning Section of IFLA (CPDWL). Currently: CPDWL Advisor, Information Coordinator of the Management of Library Associations Section. Currently at ALA: Chair, Public Awareness Committee. Recently at ALA: Chair, Status of Women in Librarianship and Chair, ALA United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Task Force developing a multi-year strategic plan for ALA. Born, raised, and educated in Puerto Rico Garcia-Febo she has an unprecedented librarian presence in social media raising awareness about libraries and librarians. She has advocated for libraries at the United Nations, the European Union Parliament, U.S. Congress, NY State Senate, NY City Hall, and on sidewalks and streets in various states in the U.S. | |
 Jennifer A. Ferretti (she/her) is an artist and information professional with over 15 years of experience working in libraries, archives, and museums. She is a first-generation American Latina/Mestiza who is guided in her work by critical praxis, not neutrality. Her professional work centers around digital libraries, critical pedagogy, and critical management and leadership. She is interested in research methodologies of artists and non-Western forms of knowledge making and sharing. In 2016 she founded We Here, a supportive community for library and archives workers who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color. Her publications and presentations often critique the Library and Information Science profession, calling attention to inequities as a means to deconstruct them. Jennifer is currently the Digital Library Federation Senior Program Officer at the Council on Library and Information Science. Find her on Substack, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. | |
 Minda Harts is a Workplace and Equity Consultant. She is also the bestselling and award-winning author of TheMemo, Right Within, and You Are More Than Magic. Minda is a highly sought-after speaker for companies such as Liberty Mutual, Nike, Google, and Salesforce. In 2020, she was named the Top Voice for Equity in the Workplace by LinkedIn. Minda hosts a live weekly podcast called Secure The Seat. | |
 Melissa Jacobs is the Director of Library Services for the NYC Department of Education/New York City School Library System. Melissa started her career as an elementary school librarian and then spent 14 years as the Coordinator for Library Services. Melissa has been named the 2022 New York Library Association Distinguished Service Award Winner, 2022 EdWeek Leader to Learn From, Library Journal Mover and Shaker, and has contributed to School Library Journal, Knowledge Quest, Teacher Librarian, and School Librarian Connection. In her spare time, she enjoy relaxing with her husband, two daughters, stepson, two orange cats, and Chiweenie. | |
 R. David Lankes is the Virginia & Charles Bowden Professor of Librarianship at the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Information. He is the recipient of ALA’s Reference and User Services Association 2021 Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award for distinguished contribution to reference librarianship. His book, The Atlas of New Librarianship won the 2012 ABC-CLIO/Greenwood Award for the Best Book in Library Literature. Lankes is a passionate advocate for librarians and their essential role in today’s society. | |
 Frank Rees is the Public Library Systems Program Manager and a Library Development Specialist at the Division of Library Development, New York Library, State Education Department. Frank has 23 years of experience as a library director in three public and association libraries in New York. He also service as a school board president and member for five years. |
